The Centre of Industrial Simulation and Prototyping is Ontario’s first Industry 5.0 sandbox, where manufacturers and tech firms can test advanced technologies in a safe, controlled environment. Georgian College’s downtown Barrie expansion is also progressing and will bring up to 1,000 students to the city core.

Construction is well underway on the Lakehead University Barrie STEM Hub in downtown Barrie. The 27,000 sq. ft. campus at 24 Maple Ave and 5 Ross St will support up to 800 students studying engineering, mechatronics, and computer science in collaborative spaces with industry.

Five Barrie companies — Albarrie, Grydale Canada, Innovative Automation, RAPTOR Mining and Weldco-Beales Mfg. — attended Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada Convention 2026 from March 1–4, the world’s premier mining convention. Their expertise highlights Barrie’s growing Mining Supply & Services sector.

The Sandbox Centre launched their first 60-day Commercialization Program cohort with 8 tech-based firms, equipping innovators with practical frameworks to launch and scale products in global markets.

A recent study highlights how fortunate we are to live in Barrie. Toronto-based digital marketing agency dNOVO Group ranked Barrie as the second-best city to live in Canada. The study considered average salaries, cost of living, safety, pollution, and access to culture and entertainment.

Barrie climbed to #2 on U-Haul’s Growth Index, driven by skilled talent, upgraded infrastructure, and strong access to key markets—making the city an emerging hub of opportunity for residents and businesses.

The Barrie Airshow, the city's signature waterfront event, celebrates aviation, honours Canada's military heritage, and brings the community together with aerial performances and ties to CFB Borden. The 2026 show will take place June 13-14.

Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre has partnered with Vital Infrastructure to explore building a new four-storey, 119,000 sq. ft. healthcare services facility on existing hospital property. The project would expand access to complementary health services near RVH’s main campus.

A new 350,000 sq. ft. Sherwin-Williams distribution centre is under development on a 20-acre industrial site on the south side of Dunlop Street West. First Gulf has been awarded the design-build lease, with completion targeted for the second quarter of 2026.